In its efforts to sanitizing the political space in the State, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has conducted drug tests to determine the sanity of the political aspirants in the forthcoming LGA election.
Making the result of the tests public, the agency disclosed that at least 20 aspirants have tested positive for multiple drugs.
The development was confirmed by the Commander of NDLEA in Kano, Abubakar Ahmad.
According to Daily Trust the Commander confirmed that the aspirants, all from the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, tested positive for substances. These included opioids (codeine), THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.
“So far, 20 aspirants presented to us by the ruling party, NNPP, in the State have tested positive for multiple drugs. And the exercise is ongoing,” Ahmad stated.
“While nicotine was detected in many cases,” the Commander added, “It is left for the Electoral Commission to decide if tobacco is a drug or not. Because it is something you find even in kola nut.”
DAILY TRUST reported that no female aspirants have tested positive so far.
“The drug tests are part of the screening process ahead of the NNPP’s submission of its candidate. The list is to be submitted to the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC). After which, the Electoral Commission will verify all candidates before the October 26 election.
“These elections will fill 44 Chairmanship and 484 Councillorship seats across Kano’s Local Governments Area Councils.
Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission had pledged to conduct drug tests for all candidates. This was made public by the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Sani Malumfashi during a visit to the NDLEA headquarters.
Recall that in 2018, the Kano State Government approved compulsory drug test for political appointees. Civil servants and students seeking admission into the tertiary institutions were also included in the list.
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